Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I was supposed to write about the heat in the Top Chef kitchen, but I've been distracted. For one, SAG is threatening a strike. I -- I can't even begin to go into the foolishness of all this. You may recall that I buried my head in the sand on this matter long, long ago. Besides, my dear friend joy posted a far more eloquent rant at her far more esteemed blog, joymagnetism. I think I could only manage a series of sputters, which doesn't really translate to print very well.
What I can articulate, however, is my fiery anger at ABC for canceling one of the quirkiest, most creative shows on network television, Pushing Daisies. If you've never seen Pushing Daisies, well, then I blame you. Okay, okay. That's not fair. Well, not completely fair. Pushing Daisies is a delightful, whimsical tale of a young man who can bring the dead back to life, but only for 60 seconds, else something or someone else nearby dies in its place. He's also brought back to life his murdered childhood sweetheart, but can't touch her again, lest she die permanently. Sounds creepy. But in the hands of Bryan Fuller (who dealt with death so humorously and stunningly in the late lamented Dead Like Me), what could be fluff and tritely disturbing nonsense, is actually a colorful (literally and figuratively), giddy hour of fun featuring a foursome of detectives solving mysterious murders, as well as a rib-tickling duo of eccentric, retired-mermaid, spinster aunts. Yes, you read that right.
Don't you wish you'd been watching? Yeah, I know you do.
But, alas, it's too late. Because ABC (whom I normally laud for its non-traditional choice of dramas and comedy-drama hybrids) decided to pull the plug, as it were, on this wonderful romp. Ratings, they say. And, to be fair, ABC has enough hits to buoy it. For now.
Yes, Lost is returning in January, a return I'm eagerly awaiting, especially now that there's an end date which has really focused the writing. Ugly Betty is still holding strong, as is ABC's Sunday night line-up. But let's face it, just how long are Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice going to hold up? By all accounts (and that's all I have to go on since I don't watch either), both shows have dipped in quality so far that they're pretty much irredeemable. So what does ABC have left? Life on Mars? Heh. Spare me.
Not only did they scrap Pushing Daisies, they got rid of fellow critical darling Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money.
I called it. I knew the changes would doom Dirty Sexy Money to the trash heap. The network called for the drastic change in tone, demanding something soapier. What they got was soap scum. So good riddance to that. However, Eli Stone is a different story. I've only seen a few episodes of Eli Stone, but I've heard nothing but praise for it.
So what's the deal ABC? Why cancel these shows when you've got nothing lined up and when you have shows that are inarguably flagging in quality, if not ratings? In a season blighted by a drought of new, quality pilots due to the strike [*shakes fists at SAG*], you've chosen to do away with shows that may not have the audience, but definitely have the promise.
This was the perfect time for the Alphabet to show its commitment to excellence. Instead, it's shown nothing but a slavery to idiotic programming decisions.
So, my darlings, what do you think? Am I off-base, here? Letting my love of a show cloud my judgment? Weigh in on ABC's decision.
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4 comments:
You know my feelings on this... I mean, I had already given up on DSM because I barely recognized the show anymore, but PD and Eli Stone... well, I mean, God forbid we actually have couple of hours of television that makes us feel hopeful and uplifted in this time of "how am I going to pay my mortgage/buy a car/pay for college/pay my bills/etc, etc..." I applaud this blog. You summed up exactly how I feel. I mean, Lost is beginning its swan song and PP and GA can't be much longer for this world... so what gives, ABC? What gives? Yes, Desperate Housewives seems to have re-engerized itself and to be honest, I love the Walker clan, but Brothers and Sisters is up and down this year. Ugly Betty is the same. What else you got for me? Oh, yeah... nothing. Morons.
It's not just ABC that's acting crazy right now, NBC's letting lipsticks start to sway their decisions, and even FOX hasn't done its usual fish/ruthlessly cut-bait decision-making this year (not that I'm complaining).
The entire TV season has been off from the beginning, which is being blamed on the WGA strike, or post-strike programming decisions, or even pre-season decisions not to have clip shows to re-introduce long-lost and/or sophomore shows from last year.
Whatever it is, I soooo wouldn't want to be any TV network exec right now.
Oh, also, thanks for the shout-out. Though I will admit that my strike rant has no basis in anything other than a weird extreme reaction to something that doesn't even affect me, really. Heh.
Oh, I agree about NBC's cutting Lipstick Jungle, but I wasn't devoted to that, so my ire isn't as great.
This happens every season. Networks make programming decisions that I wouldn't necessarily agree with. It just seems imprudent to do so in the current television climate. It's like being trapped in a snowstorm and throwing out figs because not everyone in the house likes them but keeping the questionable bologna because everyone will eat it even if it makes them sick.
And I loved your rant, whether the strike would directly affect you or not. Because everything you say true. So there.
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